Greek Festival this weekend and next

Staten Island Advance/Bill LyonsGreek warriors stroll through the crowd during the opening day of the annual Greek Festival at Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Bulls Head. The event continues today and tomorrow, as well as next weekend.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The 2010 Greek Festival hosted by Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church continues today from 2 p.m. to midnight. At 8 p.m., there will be a memorial service in honor of those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks.

Tomorrow, the fest -- featuring games, rides, food, music and culture -- will be open from noon to 10 p.m.

Featured performers on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 p.m. are the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Hellenic Dancers.

Cost is $1 for adults. Children to age 5 are free.

This annual festival continues Sept. 17 to 19. Hours are 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The church is located at 1641 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head. For more information, call the church office at 718-494-0658 or Christina Chukalas at 718-987-4235. TO GOOD HEALTH

The Kerala Catholic Association of Staten Island will celebrate its annual Feast of Our Lady of Good Health (Vailankanni) today from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Rita's R.C. Church.

The day will being with rosary and novena, followed by a solemn Mass in English at 10:15 a.m. presided over by Monsignor Nicholas J. Soares.

A solemn procession carrying the statue of the Blessed Mother will follow at 11:30 a.m. with a blessing of the sick at 12:15 p.m. and veneration of and offerings to the Blessed Mother at 12:45 p.m. The fellowship meal will end the day's events at 1 p.m.

A special novena in preparation for the solemn feast will be held today at 5 p.m., following mass.

St. Rita's Church is located at 281 Bradley Ave., Meiers Corners. For more information call Sunny Thomas at 718-983-6956 or e-mail vailankannisi@gmail.com.

HOLY FAMILY SALE

Holy Family R.C. Church will hold an indoor family garage sale tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Monsignor Glynn Center.

Food will be available. There is no admission fee. There will be a variety of both new and used items for sale.

The center is located at 366 Watchogue Rd., Westerleigh. For more information, contact the parish office at 761-6663.

YOU = PRICELESS

Woodrow United Methodist Church's worship service will return to its normal time, 10:30 a.m., as of tomorrow. The church will have a "Homecoming Celebration," with a luncheon to follow.

The musical program will include Tom Lambertson playing the guitar, his daughter, Alexis, on the tambourine, and Richard Bartels singing "What A Friend We Have in Jesus." The choir will continue to sing new hymns from the "Faith We Sing" hymn book.

Pastor Snehlata Patel's sermon is titled "Come Home -- You are Valuable!" The Gospel lesson will be Luke 15:1-10. The lay people will lead the service this Sunday.

Bible Study will resume on Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. as well as Sunday school, which will begin at 11 a.m.

The Korean United Methodist Church, including worship service, youth and Sunday school, will return to their normal worship time at 1 p.m. in the Korean language with the Rev. Kwong Wong Jung.

Prayer meetings are Monday through Friday at 5:30 a.m., midweek prayer meeting at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6 a.m. Praise Time is held on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The church is located at 1075 Woodrow Road, Huguenot.

For more information, call 718-984-0148, visit www.woodrowumc.org, or e-mail the pastor at snehlata@msn.com.

RETURN TO FAITH

Pastor Art Pettersen's sermon for tomorrow at St. Paul's-St. Luke's Lutheran Church is titled "Return To Faith."

The church is located at 186 Decker Ave., Port Richmond.

BIBLE STUDY

Bethel United Methodist Church will have Bible study tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., with worship at 11 a.m.

Pastor Matt Schaeffer will preach Luke 15, "What Was Lost Is Now Found." The liturgist will be Al Gundersheimer and the musician will be Bea Jay. A social hour will be held from noon to 1 p.m.

Prayer service at the church is held daily between 6 and 7 a.m. Fellowship breakfasts are on Saturdays after prayer service. Additional Bible studies are held Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The church is located at 7033 Amboy Rd. (at Bethel Avenue), Tottenville. Call 718-984-1277.

WILL OF GOD

Pastor John Picarello will preach a message titled "Praying in the Will of God," tomorrow at noon at House On The Rock Church.

There is prayer every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. for "Praying Parents," which is devoted to praying for our children, whether child or adult. Join or send your prayer request to hotrockchurch@msn.com.

The church is located at 7357 Amboy Rd. in Tottenville.

LOST & FOUND

The Rev. Elizabeth Williams will preach a sermon titled "Lost and Found," tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church.

Patricia Sawyer, certified lay speaker, will serve as liturgist.

The youth will meet briefly following the service to continue planning their trip to Ignite. Church council will meet Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

The church is located at 221 Heberton Ave. in Port Richmond.

DAY FOR A RALLY

St. John's Lutheran Church will celebrate Rally Day tomorrow. The worship service will begin at its new time, 9 a.m., with interim Pastor Wade A. Miller. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

A block party offering a variety of homemade foods will begin at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited.

Preparations are being made for the start of Sunday school, children's choir and an adult Bible study on Sept. 19 at 10:30 a.m. A Bible study titled "Life of Jesus, Miracles" will be led by Richard Neitzel.

The church is located at 216 Jewett Ave., Port Richmond.

BISHOP VISIT

The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, will make a visit to St. John's Episcopal Church tomorrow at 4 p.m.

During his visit, he will be celebrant and preacher for mass and will also confirm nine and receive four into the Episcopal church. A reception will be held in Eccleston Hall afterwards.

The church is located at 1333 Bay Street, Rosebank.

ROCK SOLID

Pastor Charles Baldini of Immanuel Union Church will begin a new sermon series tomorrow titled "Rock Solid Relationships."

The title of this week's message is "Adjusting Our Expectations," based on Isaiah 30:15-18. It is also the church's Rally Day and there will be communion during the service.

After the service, the church picnic will be held on the patio. The Boy Scouts will be grilling and there will be many side dishes. All are welcome.

Immanuel Union is located at 693 Jewett Ave., Westerleigh.

For more information call the church office at 718-448-1584.

HEALTH FAIR

The Word of Hope Ministries will host a health fair on Sept. 25 at the South Avenue Homeowners Association Community Center.

The fair will begin at noon and continue to 3 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to set up for their presentation.

The SEP/Mobile Health unit Service Program from Community Health Action of Staten Island will offer HIV testing, hepatitis C screening, hepatitis A and B vaccinations, blood pressure screening and more.

The community center is located at 66 Spartan Ave., Mariners Harbor.

GRANDPARENT BLESSING

Christ Church New Brighton will bless grandparents at both the 8 and 10 a.m. services tomorrow.

Bring your grandparent or other elder who is special to you to the church. If your grandparent is deceased or unable to attend, bring a photo or other momento to participate in the blessing

At 11:30 a.m., during a luncheon hosted by the Sunday school, parents may register their children for all Christ Church's Sunday School programs: Godly Play, Rite 13, and Journey to Adulthood, which encompass Christian education for children ages three to 12th grade.

Adults may register for one of two book groups.

Christ Church New Brighton is located at 76 Franklin Ave.

For more information, call 718-727-6100 or visit christchurchnbrighton.org

CATHOLIC SINGLES

The next gathering of Saint Francis Catholic Singles -- for those in their 30s, 40s and 50s -- will be Sept. 16 at 7:15 p.m. at St. Francis Friary.

The night's topic will be "Financial Planning for Singles," including what those who are single or single again need to know on planning for their financial future. Financial advisor Kathleen M. Pesile, founder of Pesile Financial Group, will speak about investing, buying a home and planning for retirement.

The cost is $5 minimum and $10 is appreciated.

The group will host its first-ever fundraiser for Serving God's Kids on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Lucky Fortune restaurant, Great Kills. Cost is $45 for full meal, dance music and a donation toward the charity, which helps orphans and children in need.

Immanuel Union Church will host "Marriage: Built to Last Seminar" on Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Topics include adjusting to expectations, learning to communicate clearly, breaking down walls, resolving conflict, restoring sex and intimacy, and striving for a Christ-centered marriage.

Those who are newly married, remarried or want to improve their relationship will experience the Biblical and practical teaching that can help them live intentionally and love unconditionally.

The church is located at 693 Jewett Ave., Westerleigh.

To register or for more information, call the church at 718-448-1584.

PADRE PIO FEAST

St. Francis Center for Spirituality will host a special commemoration of the Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina on Sept. 19, with a mass at 11 a.m. followed by a procession on the grounds and veneration of the relic of Padre Pio.

A dinner will be held at 2 p.m. at the Crystal Room to celebrate the blessings received through Padre Pio's intercession. The cost is $45. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call the center at 718-981-3131 by Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.

RENEWAL CONT'D

Power House Church of Healing and Deliverance, Inc., will host the final day of a free 3-day revival and consecration service, "Revived, Refocused, RENEWED," tomorrow at 5 p.m. at The Hampton Inn, Bloomfield.

Bishop John D. Washington, Ph.D., senior pastor of The Kingdom Church in San Diego, Calif., and presiding prelate of the Nation Fellowship Movement, will consecrate the Rev. Grace Richardson, pastor of Power House Church. Bishop Washington is a musician, singer and songwriter. The service is free.

Hampton Inn is located at 1120 South Ave. For more information, call 917-628-4110.

"Men Who Read" is co-sponsored by the Urban League Staten Island Branch and the New York State Division of Parole's Staten Island office.

The back-to-school jamboree has been designed to motivate more than 75 young men and their families to read more and become excited about education and their future.

This day will consist of motivational workshops and speakers. The joint collaborators will ensure that the participants will receive age appropriate reading books from Scholastic Inc. In addition, the elementary school children will receive school supplies (bookbags, rulers, pencils, crayons, notebooks, loose-leaf paper, etc.) and educational information for parents and guardians will be provided.

This is the third year the Psi Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has hosted a program on Staten Island.

St. Francis Center for Spirituality will host a Spiritual Renaissance Retreat for Women on Sept. 25, starting at 9 a.m.

The retreat is designed for women who are "Baby Boomers and Beyond" and includes a continental breakfast, a conference entitled "The Spiritual Adventure in the Second Half of Life," a workshop entitled "Baby Boomer Biology Plus" with Geri LaGrua, physical therapist and university lecturer, a hot lunch, and a guided meditation.

Time will also be allowed for browsing through a book and CD display by the Daughters of St. Paul and the opportunity will be provided for confession or a talk with a priest. Donna Dimino, an instructor for over 20 years in movement for those of all ages, will lead a gentle class designed to improve strength, balance and flexibility. The afternoon will conclude by 3:15 p.m. with benediction, followed by a simple anointing service for healing, led by Father Philip Blaine, director of the center.

The cost for the day is $35. Reservations are necessary; call 718-981-3131 or email sfcs2@juno.com by Sept. 22.

St. Francis Center for Spirituality is located at 500 Todt Hill Rd.

WOMEN'S CARE

The Women's Care Ministry of Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will co-sponsor free screenings from Mobile Mammography today at 1 p.m. for women ages 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year.

On Sept. 17, the Women's Day Committee will sponsor the annual Fish Dinner at 11 a.m. The menu includes chicken, fish or pigs feet dinners, homemade cakes, pies, greens and potato salad. Delivery available with orders of five dinners. Call 718-447-0261 or 718-447-9471.

The Women's Care Ministry is sponsoring an outreach to women and children Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Free gently used clothes, Christian and inspirational books, gospel music tapes and CDs, Bible/family counseling and prayer groups will be available. Contact Sister Elaine Brost 347-351-7853.

A flea market will be held Sept. 18, from noon to 4 p.m. Tables are available for $15. Fish sandwiches and other food will be available. Contact Sister Houston at 917-704-4431.

The church is located at 779 Henderson Ave., West Brighton.

BLUEBERRY FEST

Christ Church New Brighton will host its fifth annual Blueberry Festival and Chicken Dinner Sept. 18.

The entire community for dinner served on the oval lawn in front of the church. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., there will be a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. The dinner menu will include mixed green salad, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, barbecue or baked chicken, blueberry sundaes, and tea, coffee or juice. The event will take place rain or shine. The festivities will include a raffle of baskets containing various food items and spirits, a 50/50 drawing, and activities for children.

Tickets for the event are $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12; there is no charge for children ages 5 and under.

Proceeds will be used to support church ministries. One of these programs is to make the grounds of the church more open to parishioners and members of the surrounding neighborhood. For further information, directions, or to place dinner reservations call the parish office at 718-727-6100.

Christ Church is located at 76 Franklin Ave.

CAPTIVATING WOMAN

Inside every woman is a little girl who once dreamed of being swept up into a great adventure. However, all too often with life's demands, the dream fades. Mother Franciska House of Prayer (formerly known as the Franciska Spirituality Center) will host a discussion and meditation of the book "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" by John and Stasi Eldredge, on Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Grace Daquila will lead the discussion. She has served the metropolitan area as a retreat director and facilitator for 20 years.

Refreshments will follow. The suggested donation is $10. Please RSVP by tomorrow to Sister Denise at srdenise1@hotmail.com. All are welcome.

The center is located at 205 Major Ave. in Arrochar.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

The Staten Island Clergy Leadership will host an expanded "Love Your Neighbor" campaign starting today and continuing over the next three weekends.

The program culminates with a "Love Your Neighbor/ Preach Against Hate" campaign sponsored by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Sept. 23 to 26.

Some 40 area churches, mosques, temples and synagogues will host special prayers, sermons and educational and fellowship hours all designed to help encourage love for neighbors and speaking out against all acts of violence and hate.

Houses of worship interested in supporting or participating in this campaign may call the Staten Island Clergy Leadership at 718-442-3137.

HOW JESUS PRAYED

Carmelites try to imitate Christ, particularly in the way Our Lord prayed. An exploration of the ways Jesus prayed during his years of ministry among us will be the subject of a presentation tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the St. Teresa R.C. Church group studying the lives and spirituality of the Carmelite saints.

The group, led by parishioners Eileen and Ed Donnelly, members of the New York City secular community of the Discalced Carmelite Order, will meet in the parish's Blessed John XXIII Parish Center at the corner of Slosson Avenue and Windsor Road, Castleton Corners.

"We are told that to pray in the name of Jesus means to have the mind of Christ, and we will see tomorrow morning that the mind of Christ finds many different expressions in prayer," Donnelly said.

All adults are welcome at the study group's monthly meetings, which last about an hour and include recitation of Morning Prayer of the Divine Office. For further information, the Donnellys can be reached by phone at 718-448-9716 or by e-mail at ejdon1@aol.com.